Qatar hosts Huawei’s Seeds for the Future 2023 programme

In a remarkable showcase, the 2023 edition of Huawei’s Seeds for the Future programme brought together 175 students representing 15 diverse nations. The gathering of young minds praised the programme, highlighting the knowledge they gained during their participation. The event, which was centred on knowledge-sharing and collaboration, saw students from the Middle East and Central Asia convening in Qatar.

The Seeds for the Future initiative is an integral part of Huawei’s corporate social responsibility efforts and aims to nurture local ICT talent, foster cross-cultural communication, and drive technological innovation.

The 2023 edition witnessed students hailing from universities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Oman, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.

Seeds for the Future – The first phase

Since its inception in 2008, the Seeds for the Future programme has witnessed the participation of more than 15,000 students from 139 countries across the globe. Its significance has been underscored by the support of over 450 senior officials and heads of state who recognise its pivotal role in shaping the future of ICT talent.

This year, Huawei kicked off the 2023 Seeds for the Future programme at an official opening ceremony in the Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha, Qatar, under the patronage of Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA).

High-level officials and industry leaders delivered keynote speeches, which included Reem Abdulaziz Al Mugbel, acting vice governor for Planning and Business Development, TVTC, Saudi Arabia; Omar Abdulaziz al-Naama, assistant undersecretary for Private Education Affairs, Qatar; Jawad Abbassi, head of GSMA, MENA and Dr Jassim Haji, president, International Group of Artificial Intelligence. The opening ceremony was also attended by Karimjonov Rustam, deputy minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Kamil Akatov, vice minister of Science and Higher Education, Kazakhstan.

HUAWEI presents #Tech4Good from Doha! Embark on an incredible Journey with students from the Middle East & Central Asia exploring the endless possibilities of AI, 5G, and cloud vistas. A tale of passion and innovation. #SeedsT4G #QatarSeedsforthefuture @CRAqatar pic.twitter.com/1n8PFrVOPA

— Huawei Middle East (@Huawei_ME) September 4, 2023

Eng Hussain Salatt, CRA’s public relations and communication unit manager, said: “We are pleased to be part of the opening ceremony of the “Seeds for the Future” programme for the Middle East and Central Asia region. CRA has patronaged this programme for the fourth consecutive year, as it encourages skills development and innovation to contribute to Qatar National Vision 2030 goals. One is to create a balance between an oil-based and a knowledge-based economy.”

The first phase of the programme was held from September 2-9 and featured various activities, including immersive learning sessions, engaging roundtable discussions on the latest ICT technologies, and collaborative ‘Tech4Good’ group projects. These activities allowed participants to deepen their understanding of transformative technologies like 5G, AI, and cloud computing, enhancing their competitiveness in the dynamic job market and laying a solid foundation for future growth.

A total of 16 Qatari students participated at the Seeds for the Future from renowned educational universities in Qatar, including Qatar University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Community College and the University of Doha for Science and Technology. The programme also witnessed participation from 15 students from the UAE who hail from the University of Sharjah, UAE University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and Zayed University.

Over eight intensive days, the programme immersed participants in a wealth of training sessions and workshops. These sessions encompassed ICT technologies, discussions on scientific and technological leadership, and collaborative Tech4Good group projects.

Through this comprehensive programme, students delved deeper into emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and cloud computing, equipping themselves with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the competitive job market.

An exciting aspect of the Seeds for the Future includesd visits to vital tech hubs, such as the exhibition hall at Huawei’s headquarters in Qatar, Education City, Lusail Stadium and a tour of Doha. These experiences gave participants insights into the real-world applications of the technologies they are learning about.

Shunli Wang, vice president of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, said: “In the digital era, skilled talent is pivotal to maintaining rapid development, seizing opportunities, and economic progress. At Huawei, we’re proud to be among the first few global tech companies to leverage its technology and expertise to help narrow the talent gap through programmes like Seeds for the Future. We’re thrilled to host the first phase of the Seeds for the Future programme in Doha and look forward to seeing some of the best regional ICT talents in action.”

Omar Abdulaziz al-Naama, assistant undersecretary for Private Education Affairs, Qatar, said: “ICT education is one of the most critical pillars in Qatar’s vision of a diversified, knowledge-based economy. Skilled talent is crucial to our prosperous digital economy.

Through our partnership with global industry leaders like Huawei on programmes like Seeds for the Future, we are training and equipping our talented youth with the necessary skills to support Qatar’s ambitious Vision 2030 and ICT strategy.”

Meanwhile, Abbassi commented: “Advanced technologies like AI, 5G and cloud are revolutionising how we live, learn and work. Digital transformation across the MENA is accelerating at an unparalleled pace, and it’s crucial that we narrow the ICT talent gap and arm students with 21st-century skills. Enabling students to upskill their tech knowledge while gaining crucial soft skills is of paramount importance.”

Tech4Good

One of the programme’s highlights was the Tech4Good project presentations, where participating students showcased their innovative solutions to drive positive change in their communities. From these presentations, eight exceptional teams, each comprising 40 students, were chosen to advance to the second phase of the Tech4Good programme, which is taking place in Dubai from September 10-16. The winners of this phase will then qualify for the final global competition in China, where they will compete against teams from various parts of the world.

The Tech4Good Global Competition not only presents an opportunity for students to showcase their projects but also offers a chance to explore the immense potential of ICT in promoting sustainable development. The ultimate winners of this global competition will be invited to the Tech4Good Startup Sprint in China.

During the event, they will have the opportunity to visit tech hubs in Shenzhen, Beijing, and other cities, gaining firsthand experience in entrepreneurial environments. Additionally, they will compete for a startup support fund of $100,000, which can be a significant boost for turning their ideas into reality.

Driving digital innovation

Huawei’s Seeds for the Future programme also witnessed a panel discussion featuring academics and tech experts. Under the overarching theme of ICT Talent and Youth Power Driving Digital Innovation and Shaping the Sustainable Future of the MECA Region, participants delved into the current situation and challenges of digital transformation, emphasising the crucial need to elevate the skill set of the younger generation. They recognised the significance of aligning youth skills with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Prominent figures from academia, the technology sector, research institutions and training organisations participated in the seminar: Dr Ahmed K Elmagarmid, executive director of Qatar Computing and Research Institute, QCRI, Qatar Foundation; Almugbel, Karimjonov; Dr Khalid Al-Begain, president of Kuwait College of Science and Technology; and Maya Zhu, global CSR lead, Huawei Public Affairs and Communications Department.

During the exchange, they presented valuable insights on critical aspects driving the digital transformation journey, highlighting priority areas in training programmes and skills development. They emphasised the importance of collaboration, innovation and enhancing the culture of innovation in the region, as well as the necessity of nurturing local technical talents to pave the way for sustainable digital futures built upon knowledge.

The attendees also stressed the need to enrich university curricula and teaching systems with practical training provided by experienced technology companies in order to prepare graduates for active participation in driving social and economic progress in their countries, aligning with current national plans, strategies, and visions that focus on maximising the use of technology. The participants acknowledged the importance of activating further cooperation and partnership frameworks between the public and private sectors in training young technical talents.

Dr Elmagarmid said: “Our nation’s ICT advancement hinges upon nurturing local talents and embracing digitalisation across sectors. We’re committed to developing comprehensive strategies that align with our national vision, fostering an environment where innovation thrives. As a global ICT leader, Huawei has contributed immensely to nurturing Qatar’s ICT talent ecosystem through initiatives like Seeds for the Future.”

Almugbel commented: “The collaborative efforts between public and private sectors form the bedrock of sustainable technological progress. Such partnerships catalyse innovation and pave the way for a knowledge-based digital economy.”

Karimjonov added: “Education curriculums must swiftly adapt to the evolving digital landscape. By partnering with ICT private sector companies, we can ensure that our education system empowers students with the skills required for a tech-driven future.”

Dr Khalid Al-Begain said: “Artificial Intelligence holds immense potential to transform societies. Nurturing ICT talent is pivotal to realising this potential, and global technology leaders must collaborate with government entities to expedite its progress.”

Zhu highlighted: “Our commitment to fostering ICT talent across the Middle East and Central Asia is unwavering. Through initiatives like ‘Seeds for the Future,’ we aim to bridge the talent gap, aligning with national aspirations and driving sustainable growth.”

The finale

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education hosted the final ceremony of the Seeds for the Future, honouring the winners of the first phase at its headquarters on September 9.

The first phase of the Tech4Good regional competition, aimed at empowering and engaging the youth in driving positive change within their communities, was also held in parallel.

Participating students presented their Tech4Good projects to the judges, and seven outstanding teams of 40 students were selected to move on to the second phase of the Tech4Good programme. These teams represent Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Also read: Why public-private partnerships are key to ICT talent cultivation in the Middle East